Group sues Gov. Jindal over efforts to block Common Core standards

On Tuesday, Navis Hill, a mother of four children in New Orleans schools, spoke out against Gov. Bobby Jindal's efforts to scrap Common Core standards.

"I think that the frustration definitely lies with the [Jindal administration], and I do not appreciate that my kids are being sacrificed in their education due to politics," she said. "I am preparing my children to have a higher education and better education that is competitive."

Hill is among a group of parents and teachers who filed suit against Jindal Tuesday, accusing him of overstepping his powers in the ongoing fight.

"The governor and his administration, we believe, have taken adverse actions that have sown chaos in the educational system of the state. They have tried to kill the very standards that the legislature and that BESE have established and set as the course of direction for the citizens of this state," said Steve Kupperman, lead attorney for the plaintiffs.

Last month, Jindal called on state education leaders to replace Common Core standards. His administration suspended testing contracts for 3rd through 8th grades, after accusing BESE of failing to follow state bid laws in the contracting process.

Tuesday, Jindal said the lawsuit against him has no merit.

An administration spokesman issued this statement from the governor:

"Louisiana Revised Statute La. R.S. 39:334 gives the Division of Administration the authority and responsibility to ensure that all offices of the executive branch follow proper contractual procedures. And under the Louisiana Constitution, the Governor's Office has the responsibility to ensure the laws of the state are faithfully executed. The Louisiana Department of Education needs to stop delaying, issue an RFP, and follow the law."

The ongoing debate has stirred strong feelings on both sides.

Opponents of Common Core say the standards are too tough, and stand as an example of an overreaching federal government.

"If I wanted Washington DC to control my life and my children and my grandchildren's life, I would move to Washington," said one woman during a Slidell town hall meeting on Common Core in October 2013.

However, some teachers argue that the standards are paying off in the classroom.

"For the past four years, we've been prepared, and we've been sticking to the Common Core standards and they're working. Test results have shown they are working," said Courtney Dumas, a teacher in Ascension Parish. "Two weeks from [Wednesday] I begin my school year, and with all this uncertainty, it's not acceptable."

The lawsuit calls on the courts to reinstate the testing contracts.

The filing came one day after a group of state lawmakers filed a suit of their own, in an attempt to block Common Core standards.

Two years ago GMB Racing came out of nowhere to become a "big player" in "The Sport of Kings." Gayle and Tom's racing operation was in it's infancy back in 2016, but they still sent, not one, but two horses to the Kentucky Derby. The Benson's horses finished 8th and 12th, in the "Super Bowl of Racing." This Saturday, GMB will send out another thoroughbred with an eye on "The Run for the Roses," in Lone Sailor. With the passing of Mr. Benson, ano...more>>

Two years ago GMB Racing came out of nowhere to become a "big player" in "The Sport of Kings." Gayle and Tom's racing operation was in it's infancy back in 2016, but they still sent, not one, but two horses to the Kentucky Derby. The Benson's horses finished 8th and 12th, in the "Super Bowl of Racing." This Saturday, GMB will send out another thoroughbred with an eye on "The Run for the Roses," in Lone Sailor. With the passing of Mr. Benson, ano...more>>

Nikolas Cruz appears in court for a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Monday, Feb. 19. Authorities said Cruz’s brother was arrested for trespassing at the same school on Monday, March 19. (Source: Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Nikolas Cruz appears in court for a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Monday, Feb. 19. Authorities said Cruz’s brother was arrested for trespassing at the same school on Monday, March 19. (Source: Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Authorities say the brother of the teen charged with killing 17 people at a Florida school has been arrested for trespassing at the same school.

Robert and Irma Talamantez have both practiced Santeria for nearly three decades. They said they aren't cruel and they aren't criminals, they're just believers in a misunderstood religion. (Source: KSAT/CNN)

Robert and Irma Talamantez have both practiced Santeria for nearly three decades. They said they aren't cruel and they aren't criminals, they're just believers in a misunderstood religion.

Bryant has said multiple times that he wants Mississippi to be the safest place in America for an unborn child. Source: Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves

The law goes into effect immediately and the only exceptions are if a fetus has health problems making it incompatible with life outside the womb at full term or if the mother's life or "major bodily function" is threatened by the pregnancy. Pregnancies resulting from rape or incest are not exempt from the new law.

The law goes into effect immediately and the only exceptions are if a fetus has health problems making it incompatible with life outside the womb at full term or if the mother's life or "major bodily function" is threatened by the pregnancy. Pregnancies resulting from rape or incest are not exempt from the new law.